Family Meet 2022

The Climbers Club Family Meet, the two weeks I look forward every year. This year was just as special as the last. 2022 marked my 12th year on the family meet and we were very lucky with the weather, having some amazing sunny days and even damper days only lasting for the mornings so climbing seemed to have still got done every day; from group accents of Alison’s Rib (Diff) to a lead of Spider’s Nightmare (an E8 6C at the bottom of Bosigran).

Everyone was keen to get out climbing again on the amazing sea cliffs of Cornwall. There were multiple trips to Halldrine Cove to tackle the easier single pitch routes but still with the atmospheric sea crashing beneath. A favourite for many was the well climbed ‘Limpet Slab’ which was enjoyed very much by all ages. Bosigran Ridge got a fair lot of use from the Family Meet as usual. Kate and Paul and Graham and Hannah enjoyed some leisurely climbs up, but Tom and Ed decided to go for speed and tried to speed solo the route, both coming back quite sweaty! The less often climbed route ‘String of Pearls’ was completed by Tom and Simon in the second week, a lengthy traverse across Bosigran and afterwards they both seemed quite tired – understandably! Lots of routes got done down at Sennen also, from Demo Route to Slippery Slab, which were all thoroughly enjoyed. Sometimes, it can be harder to get the younger ones into climbing and getting them to put their trust into the ropes (especially when abseiling), but after a bit of time and some brave children, they were away and sometimes even wanting another go! It’s always so brilliant to watch the younger children being initially scared about a climb, but still giving it a go and finding it not so scary anymore.
Then as well as all the climbing, there were countless days of beaching, swimming, snorkelling, paddleboarding, kayaking and even a few trips on an inflatable crocodile! From group trips to Sennen and The Morvah Pastyval, to solo trips to Mousehole, The Lizard, St. Ives, The Cot Valley… the list goes on!

Obviously, as tradition has made it we held a pancake competition, but the difference this year was that there wasn’t just one, but two! We held an Under 12 Pancake Competition in the first week then a whole group ‘sociable pancake’ competition on the second week. Florence and Edward won the first week with a total of 7 pancakes each, but Christopher managed to double that the second week with a total of 14! A highlight of the competition was the “look of pancake horror” as a giant stack of pancakes was placed in front of Florence.
There were, as always, countless trips to the ruins and many nights spent outside watching the amazing sunsets overlooking the blue ocean.
In the second week, we managed to go bivvying down at the ruins near Bosigran – a lot of fun but not much sleep! As a group we also went to see a Shakespeare (King Lear) in St. Ives which was fantastic (even if a bit chilly).

If I had to choose a highlight of the family meet, I would say that I couldn’t. Each day has brought excitement and fun and just being able to be down in Cornwall, staying at The Count House is a highlight, because in the words of Florence “I’m back where I belong” is how I think a lot of people feel on the family meet.

Ella Headland

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